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October 2023
The Wisdom of Knowing Whom to Ask
Henry Ford’s Unconventional Advice Applies to Estate Planning
In 1916, the Chicago Tribune published a scathing article on Henry Ford, calling him “an ignorant pacifist.” The harsh review came after the interviewer bombarded Ford with historical trivia, asking him things like, “Who was Benedict Arnold? How many soldiers did the British send over in the 1776 Revolution?” Ford didn’t know the answers to these questions and honestly told the interviewer so. He was an industrialist, a businessman, and incredibly smart but lacked a formal education. After all, knowing historical facts didn’t help him create the Ford Motor Company.
A Question to Ask (or Answer for) a Loved One Asking and answering important questions helps preserve your family’s values and life lessons for generations to come. Where in the world should I visit before I die? Why?
Eventually, Ford became tired — and a bit annoyed — of the historical trivia and told the reporter:
“If I should really want to answer the foolish questions you have just asked, let me remind you that I have a row of electric push-buttons on my desk, and by pushing the right button, I can summon to my aid men who can answer any question you have. Now, will you kindly tell me why I should clutter up my mind with general knowledge when I have people around me who can supply the information I require?” Ford took this sentiment from the pages of Napoleon Hill’s classic 1938 book, “Think and Grow Rich,” and what it all boils down to is that you don’t need to know everything; you just have to know the people who do. The same can be said about estate planning. You don’t need to know the best way to lessen your estate tax burden by heart or whether a will or trust is better for your estate. You don’t need to know the answers to everything — you can just call us! Because while you may be the world’s leading expert on yourself, there are still some things you’ll never know. For example: 1. You don’t know when you’re going to die, right? 2. You don’t know what the law will be at that time. I don’t even know what the law will be when you die. In fact, I don’t know what the law will be in 30 days. Every time we get a new batch of politicians in Washington, they change things. 3. You don’t know what your assets will be. The value and character of your assets change all the time. You don’t own the same things today you did 10 years ago, and you won’t own the same things 10 years from now you own today. Some things you own may be worth more, and others will be worth less. 4. You don’t know what your family situation will be. Ten years ago, Laurie and I just wanted to get our kids safely through high
school. Now, we want them to finish college, develop a strong work ethic, be productive and contributing members of society, and provide for those who depend on them for care and support. But who knows? In 10 years, maybe we’ll still be trying to get them out of the house (or keep them from moving back in). 5. You don’t know what will be important to you when you die. You may think you do, but if you’re like most people, your wishes can change. If you tried to find answers to all of those questions, you’d be so inundated that you wouldn’t be able to function in your daily life. Ford knew this, too. And I’m not saying I know all of those answers either (it would be frightening if I knew when you’d die), but what I do know are the best strategies to prepare for them. It’s my job to know about the changing laws, how to plan for a tax-free retirement, or even just how to advise you through the challenges of planning for your future — whatever they look like.
So, remember, you don’t need to know everything about your future or estate. You just have to seek help from someone “who can supply the information [you] require.” So, if you’d ever like my help, you can always call me at 803-746-7000.
“You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own.” –Luke 6:41
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A Greener Future for All
Exciting Advances in the World of Sustainable Energy
of Transport to proceed, as concerns have been raised regarding the durability and reflectivity of the panels.
The hunt for sustainable energy sources continues! Throughout the past two decades, we have seen countless efforts around the globe to develop more environmentally friendly energy practices. You may have noticed solar panels appearing on roofs around your community or watched news reports about wind turbines offshore. These are far from the only efforts organizations, governments, and individuals are making. Two large-scale sustainability projects were announced that could lead to a more sustainable future. Solar Railways In many areas of Europe, the best way to get from point A to point B is by train. Switzerland alone has a national railway network that stretches over 2,000 miles. A startup called
New Wind Turbines Offshore wind farms are nothing new. They first appeared in 1991, but the technology has evolved immensely. The Spain-based startup X1 Wind has created a new floating wind turbine prototype that could change the entire industry. Located off the Canary
Islands, the X1 floating turbine is more efficient and environmentally friendly than other turbines. The best news? In March, it generated its first kilowatt- hour of power, opening the door for further manufacturing. These are just a couple of the many sustainability projects recently introduced. As long as we continue to develop and discover environmentally
Sun-Ways recently announced a plan to outfit Swiss railway lines with solar panels to generate additional power. Sun-Ways developed a specialized train car to lay down solar panels between the rails of the track using minimal labor. The company estimates
that its solar panels can generate 2% of Switzerland’s annual energy consumption. At the time of writing this article, Sun-Ways is still waiting for a sign-off from the Federal Office
friendly practices, we can look forward to a greener future for all.
SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE WITH A TRUST
categories: revocable and irrevocable. A revocable trust can be changed anytime during the owner’s lifetime. An irrevocable trust is set in stone as soon as you sign the agreement. One of the best parts about trusts is how they help keep your money in the family for generations. Many don’t realize it until they go through probate, but extreme taxes and fees arise after you pass away. Without proper planning, the value of your estate can dwindle to nothing as your family pays these fees, leaving minimal amounts for them. This is not what you want to happen to your loved ones. While trusts can be slightly more expensive than other estate planning options, their benefits are endless. Call us if you have any questions about trusts or want to create one to protect your family and assets.
only need a will, and everything else is just extra, but this is rarely the case.
When people begin the estate planning process, they usually do so to protect their assets and set their children and grandchildren up for success. An estate plan helps you safeguard everything you worked for and distribute your assets to your loved ones. However, many people believe they
Wills have become synonymous with estate planning thanks to pop culture, but in reality, wills are the bare minimum for most people’s estate planning needs. A will only comes into effect after you’ve passed away. If you become incapacitated, your health care and durable powers of attorney act in your place, which can complicate things. Having a will does not guarantee you’ll avoid probate, either. If you want to safeguard your family and assets fully, consider establishing a trust instead of just having a will. With a trust, you have more freedom and control over the management of your assets. There are different types of trusts to fit everyone’s specific needs, but they all fall into two
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Say Goodbye to Pet Hair Woes Tips and Tricks for a Hair-Free Home There’s no doubt about it: We love having our furry friends by our sides each day. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals make great companions, but they also come with their own challenges. One obstacle nearly every pet owner has to deal with is an overabundance of pet hair throughout their homes. Pet hair sticks to surfaces, and it’s not uncommon to find it on your clothes, on your carpets, or even in your car. You shouldn’t have to pat yourself down with tape or use a lint roller to remove hair whenever you leave the house, so here are a few methods to remove pet hair around your home. Fabric Softener Spray It’s no secret that fabric softener helps remove pet hair from clothes when used in a washing machine, but it can also free up the pet hair trapped in your carpets, rugs, and car seats. Mix 2 tablespoons of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle before applying the mixture to the hair-heavy area. This will cause the hair to clump together, which you can then sweep up with a broom. Run a vacuum cleaner over the area, and it will look (and smell) as good as new! Drill Brush You might not think your power tools would come in handy for this chore, but you’d be surprised. Using a brush attachment on a power drill is one of the best ways to loosen up pet hair. All you have to do is run the brush over the hair-covered area and follow behind it with your vacuum cleaner hose or crevice attachment, and the surface will look pristine. Brush attachments for drills are reasonably inexpensive and can be bought online or in home improvement stores. Prevention You don’t have to limit where your furry friends can go in the house, but using easily washable furniture and car seat covers will make pet hair cleanup much easier. Frequent passes with your vacuum, broom, and mop can also prevent pet hair buildup, but so can getting your pets groomed regularly! Whether you brush your furry friend down every day or take them to a professional groomer, these acts can help remove loose hair and stop it from ever reaching your floors.
ONE-BOWL PUMPKIN MUFFINS
Inspired by NoraCooks.com
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt
• 15 oz can pumpkin purée • 1/3 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil) • 1/2 cup unsweetened plant- based milk • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare muffin pan by greasing and placing paper liners. 2. In a large mixing bowl, add pumpkin, melted butter (or oil), milk, and brown sugar, then whisk until well combined and smooth. With a sifter, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices over the wet mixture. 3. Using a large wooden spoon, mix until just combined (do not over-mix). 4. Fill the muffin cups and bake for 22–25 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes and enjoy!
TAKE A BREAK
Candy Costume Gourds Halloween Haunted Moon Raven Tricks Vampire Werewolf Witch Zombie
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Estate Planning: You Don’t Need to Know Everything, Just Whom to Call
1
All Aboard the Green Energy Revolution
2
Future-Proofing Your Assets With Trusts
One-Bowl Pumpkin Muffins
3
Pet Hair Takeover? Not Anymore! Top Solutions for Hair-Free Living
Lessons From Anna Nicole Smith’s Billion-Dollar Drama
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THE ANNA NICOLE SMITH STORY Costly Consequences of Neglected Estate Planning:
didn’t make this change in his will or any other estate planning document. Instead, his $1.6 billion estate went to his son, Pierce Marshall. The matter went to probate, where it was determined that Smith would inherit nothing. The following year, she filed for bankruptcy in California, and the California court disagreed with the probate results, stating that Smith was entitled to $449 million. The case then proceeded to the federal level and was eventually presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in Smith’s favor, but when all was said and done, there were no winners. Pierce passed away in 2006, and Smith passed away the following year. Smith’s son also passed away in 2006 and was the only beneficiary on her estate plan, as Smith had failed to add her 5-month-old daughter to it before she passed. There were several more legal battles between Smith’s and Pierce’s estates — one of which made it in front of the Supreme Court again — before finally, the last of Smith’s
Whenever a prominent celebrity, entrepreneur, or athlete passes away, there’s usually quite a bit of money left on the table. Most of these individuals put careful consideration into their estate plans to ensure their assets are distributed appropriately, but that’s not always the case. In 1995, Anna Nicole Smith found herself in the middle of a probate case that would haunt her for the rest of her life. In 1991, a 23-year-old Smith met 86-year-old petroleum tycoon J. Howard Marshall. Marshall was worth over $1 billion at the time and quickly became smitten with Smith. In the following years, Smith appeared in TV shows, movies, and advertisements, and her popularity exploded. In June 1994, Smith and Marshall married in Houston, but their wedded bliss was short-lived. Marshall passed away 13 months after the wedding at the age of 90. Before passing away, Marshall promised Smith half of his estate. Unfortunately, he
cases was closed on Oct. 24, 2022, over two decades from when the disputes began. There are many lessons we can learn from this situation, but the most important one is to update your estate plan whenever you experience a life change. It’s also wise for celebrity couples to have a prenuptial agreement. It would have saved everyone years of struggle if Smith or Marshall had done either.
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